Town signs land deal

Wednesday

Dec 25, 2013 at 12:01 AM

SWANSEA — The town signed an agreement with the owners of land formerly used by the Montaup Power that will eventually put the seven properties under town control. Town Administrator James Kern noted that there is still some final work on boundary lines before the closing.

Bill Hall

SWANSEA — The town signed an agreement with the owners of land formerly used by the Montaup Power that will eventually put the seven properties under town control. Town Administrator James Kern noted that there is still some final work on boundary lines before the closing.

Negotiations have been ongoing since the Town Meeting allocated $200,000 for the seven properties that include approximately 175 acres. The acreage includes the iconic Swansea Dam as well as two other dams, 105 acres of open space abutting the town owned land behind Town Hall, as well as 8.5 acres behind the Salvation Army off Sears Road and three other smaller properties.

Town Administrator James Kern announced that the memorandum of understanding includes no changes to the 105 acres purchased with $100,000 of Community Preservation Act money.

Originally, it appeared that the NRG Energy, Inc. owners of the land, did not want any construction on any of the properties. The town was looking to modify that restriction and reached an agreement that would allow minor work such as a slab for gazebo or some boat launch at each of the three dams, Swansea Dam, Milford Dam behind Target and the dam off G.A.R. Highway near the little league field complex.

There was no restriction on the 8.5 acres behind the Salvation Army, leaving that open to a variety of options on Sears Road.

Two other properties at Lewin Pond Island and Maiden Lane and a small piece off Hortonville Road would also have no construction.

Town counsel Arthur Frank noted that part of the reasons why the negotiations went slowly was that the land descriptions were 80 years old and needed more than the usual study.

"We agreed that it would not be likely to have a closing before December 31," said Atty. Frank, noting that it will happen during the beginning of next year.